Bacopa monnieri

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Habit : A small, succulent, creeping much branched herb, rooting at the nodes.
Leaves : 0.4 - 2.8 cm long, obovate - oblong or spathulate, lower surface dotted, opposite, decussate, sessile.
Inflorescence : Axillary solitary
Flowers :
- Bracteoles 2, linear, acute, 0.5 cm long.
- Calyx glabrous, unequal outermost sepal, ovate, acute; 2 innermost sepals narrow, lanceolate and acute.
- Corolla bilipped, bluish in colour, lobes subequal, glistening with shining dots when fresh.
- Stamens 4, didynamous, included, anthers bluish - purple, pollen white.
- Ovary 5 - ceclled, ovules many, style dilated at the tip, stigma bilobed.
Fruit : Ovoid, acute, 0.4 cm long, glabrous.
Seed : Many, oblong, striate.
Flowering and Fruiting time : January - May
Significance :
- Leaves mixed with black pepper is given in fever.
- An infusion of dried plant is given in rheumatism and in chronic indigestion.
- It is an effective drug in constipation and urinary diseases.
- It is a purgative.
- It cures poisonous stings.